Polk is at risk!
ACTION ITEM for the week of March 9: Get the word out about this Townhall! Our goal is STANDING ROOM ONLY!
Yes, Polk Street is at risk.
Powerful forces are behind it, and they are moving fast.
If you use Polk Street, and understand how important it is to mobility in Houston, then help us be an ever MORE powerful force!
See some of the most urgent questions and answers, below.
Who would want to close Polk Street?
Houston First, the organization managing George R. Brown Convention Center, wants to close Polk Street to widen the convention center.
Where do they want to close Polk Street?
It would be closed west of US-69, adjacent to the George R Brown Convention Center. To visualize it, if you’re approaching Downtown from East End, Polk would be closed starting at Chartres Street to Avenida de las Americas.
How long has the public known about this?
We learned about it from generic signs posted on Polk Street in early February. Neither Houston First nor the City provided any outreach to nearby residents. It also appears multiple groups within the City were not consulted on Houston First’s plan.
How will this impact me?
Short answer: nobody knows! Neither the City of Houston nor Houston First have released traffic plans associated with the closure to show how anybody will be impacted.
Long answer: There's a good chance it will impact you in a negative way, especially if you are driving to Toyota Center, Discovery Green, or the GRB itself from anywhere south, southeast, or southwest of downtown. This include the Districts I and H in the east, District E in the southeast, District D in the south, and Districts C, K, J and F in the southwest. For many of you living on those sides of town, Polk is how you access major destinations in downtown.
What can I do about this?
The good news is that this is not a done deal. Polk Street still belongs to you and me - the public. Nothing is done until the street has been abandoned and handed over to Houston First.
In terms of the easiest thing you can do - contact Mayor Whitmire, your district councilmember, all at-large councilmembers, and the City Joint Referral Committee (JRC, the group in charge of approving the abandonment of Polk). Click on "Get Involved" to find their contacts.
In terms of slightly harder, but very effective - voice your concern at City Council, in person! We have dates, times, and instruction on the Events calendar. People for Polk can also help you figure out what to say. We may even be able to accompany you.
You can also Join People for Polk.We have a single goal that unites us: Save Polk if possible, and if not, be involved with any alternatives presented by the City and Houston First to ensure that they mitigate the damage caused by the removal of Polk, and, if all possible, figure out solutions that IMPROVE on the existing situation. We're all volunteers, all residents of impacted communities, whose only vested interest is working for our communities. We'd love to have you part of our group!